Control mechanism for pressing machines



Sept; E, N3. J. P. DALY l CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed March 4, 1955 2 SheetsfSheet 1 INVENTOR JOSEPH P. DALY BY @M l% @n ffO-{NE Sept, 1936. J. P, DALY 2,v053,023

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRESSING MACHINES A TT ORNE YS Patented sept. 1, 193e Unirse stares.

PATENT OFFICE CONTROL MECHANISM Fon rnEssrNG MACHINES Application March 4, 193,5, Serial No. 9,193

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in control mechanism for pressing machines.

In pressing machines of the type which have coacting pressing members of the bed or platen or type which are brought together for a. pressing operation and held in thatposition for a period of time, one of the problems in control mechanisms concerns itself with the protection of the operator against injury while the pressing members are moving toward each other to close the press.

My control mechanism provides in a press of this type improved control means arranged to keep both hands of the operator occupied during the closing of the press.

My invention also includes improved operating mechanism for closing a pressing machine and causing a pressing or ironing operation between coacting pressing members, together with improved control mechanism for maintaining the press closed under uid pressure.

Other improved features of my press control mechanism include specially arranged devices for insuring the safe operation of the machine under various working conditions, all as will more clearn ly appear in the accompanying specification and drawings, and the essential features of which will beV summarized in the claims.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows an end elevation 3o of apressing machine with the press operating v mechanism and control devices shown in section and somewhat diagrammatically to enable their operation to be more easily understood; while Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the power and control 3.5 mechanism of Fig. 1 showing the parts in difierent operated positions.

My improved press operating and control mechanism is applicable to many types of presses but I have chosen to illustrate the same in conjunc- 4,Q tion with a well-known type of pressing machine, such as is used in laundry and garment work. The machine illustrated comprises a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members I0 and Il, one or both of which may be made 45 movable for the purpose of closing and opening the press. In the present instance I have illustrated the member It] as providing a stationary bed secured on a frame I2 and the member II is a coacting pressing chest or head carried by a 50 head lever I3 which is pivotally mounted at I4 'Y l on the frame. For opening and closing the press I have provided a pair of toggle links I5 pivotally connected together at the knuckle I6 and mounted between pivot Il located on the frame and 55 pivot I8 mounted on the rear end of the head lever so that with the parts as shown in Fig. 1,V the pressing members are in their open position and with the parts moved to the broken line4 position of Fig. 1, the press is` closed for an ironing operation. The. press is biased toward and normally held in open position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 by a spring I9 secured between the rear end of the head lever on the one hand and the frame of the machine on the other.

Power means is provided for relatively moving the pressing members from open to closed position and the particular means illustrated comprises two cylinder and piston motors having suitable motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for relatively moving the pressing members to closed position. These motors are so arranged that neither of them alone has su'icient power stroke to completely close the press but both of them must act together. I do not desire to be limited in the arrangement of these motors other than as defined in the appended claims when construed in view of the prior art.

I have illustrated as one embodiment of my invention two axially aligned cylinder and piston motors 20 and 2l which preferably have a common cylinder head 22 between them. The construction shown comprises a single member which provides the cylinder walls for both motors and has a partition wall integral therewith which forms the common cylinder head between the two motors. 'Ihe motor 20 thus comprises a cylinder 23 in which reciprocates a piston 24 whose piston rod 25 is pivotally mounted at 26 on a bracket connected with the frame. The motor 2l cornprises a cylinder 21 housing a piston 28 whose piston rod 29 is suitably connected to the toggles I5, the connection shown being at the knuckles I6. Suitable passages are provided for the ingress and egress of uid to and `from the motors and in the form illustrated the inlet passages 30 and 3|, one for each motor, and the exhaust passage 32 for motor 20 are formed integral in the common cylinder head or partition wall 22. Also each motor is provided with an open exhaust port 33 and. 34 to relieve the pressure on the idle face of the piston. Each of the motor cylinder walls is also provided with a port 35 and 36 which is uncovered by the piston as it reaches the end of its power stroke. The purpose of these ports will be later disclosed. A

The means for supplying motive uid to the motors `2E) and 2l includes a combined flow and exhaust conduit 31, 38 suitably connected with the passages 30 and 3| through a shuttle valve mechanism 39, 40 to be later described and communicating with valve casings 4|, 42 located at the front of the machine in which are housed valves operable by manuals 43 and 44 which are spaced apart so as to require the use of both hands of the mounted on a common stem llc for actuation by manual 43. Spring 4|d biases the valves toward the normal position. The supply of motive iiuid is by way ofconduit 45 which has branches 46 and 41, leading to casings 4| and 42 respectively.

Means is provided for supplying to each of the`r motors 20 and 2| motive uid independent of the Y manually controlled supply for holding the press closed under fluid pressure. In the presentin-k stance each motor upon a predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder operates to establish this independent motive iluid supply for the other motor. In the form shown, valve casings 48 and 49 are rigidly mounted on the cylinder structure and eachrcasing is provided with a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve, the construction of which is similar to that described in connection withvalve casings 4| and 42 and the valves have been given 30Y analogous subscripts. The valve stems 48e :and 479e are actuated by cam portions and 29' on the respective'piston rod as the pistons approach the end of their power stroke as will be later described. A conduit 59 establishes communication between the inlet and outlet valves in casing 48 and the port 36 in thecylinder wall of motor 2|. In the same manner conduit 5| establishes cornmunication between the inlet and outlet valves in casing 49 and the port 35 in the cylinder wall of motor 20. Conduits 45a and 45h provide a supply of motive fluid for the casings 48 and 49 respectively.

The shuttle valveconstruction shown at 39 and V4l! comprises a cylinder o-r other suitable valve body in which a valve member such as the disk 39a or 49a. reciprocates in a manner to establish communication between the inlet passages 39 and 3| .for the introduction of fluid into the motor cylinders, and the manually controlled conduits 31 and 38; or alternatively communicating with the conduits 59 and 5| which latter connection is made possible by theconduits 52 and 53 which establish communication b etweeniconduit 5| and casing 39 A on the one hand and between conduit 5D and casing 4|) on the other hand. The valve disks 39a and 40a are preferably biased to the position shown in Fig. 1v by springs 3917 and 40h.

For opening the press I have provided exhaust conduit`54 which establishes communication be tween passageway 32 and valveV casing 55 also preferably located at the front of the machine. 'I'his casing houses a normally closed outlet valve 55a biased in closed direction by a spring 55h. A stem 55e is actuated by'a manual 56 to open the outlet valve.

With the parts in the full line position of Fig. 1, the operator arranges the lay of the work upon the member l0 and actuates' the manuals 43 and 44. Motive uid then flows from conduits 45 and 46 through valve 4 Ia and conduit 37 to valve casing 39whererthe pressure acting against valve 39a, moves the disk to the right as seen in the drawings, whereupon the fluid passes through passageway to the working faceof piston 24 which 28 rearwardly or to the left as shown in Fig. V1. The effect of this movement is to partially close the head upon the bed i9. At the same time, uid flows from conduits 45 and 4l through valve 42a and conduit 38 to valve casing 49 moving shuttle valve 49a. to the left as seen in Fig. 1 which permits uid to continue'through passageway 3| to the working face of piston 28. This piston then moves relatively to its cylinder 2 and this additional stroke is sufficient to completely close the press. This simultaneous action of both of the motors 20 and 2| moves the Ytoggle links Y and the pressing head to the broken line position t of Fig. 1 and moves the pistons 24 and28 relaagainst the working face of piston 28 inthe posi-` The action of cam v tion which it then occupies. 29 is exactly similar in its effect upon the valves in casing 49and establishes a flow ofY motive uid .from conduit 45h through conduit 5| and port 35 to the Working face of piston 24. maintaining pressure against the faces of the two pistons which is independent of the manually controlled supply used to preliminarily close the press and therefore the manuals 43and Y44 may be released and the press will remain closed.

To openthe press the operator actuates manual 56 which moves valve 55a to its open position and permits theY exhaust of fluid from motor 29 through passageway 32 and conduit 54. The press will then open under the influence of spring |9 which rst moves piston 24 relative to cylinder 23 causing cam 25 to move away from valve stem 48C which permits spring 48d to close Yvalve 48a and open valve 48D. Pressure is then exhausted from motor 2| through conduit 5 and outlet valve 48h which permits spring |9 to return the press to its full open position. In the arrangement shown, with the press fully closed, Vthe toggle links I5 must stop short of fully straightened position if spring i9 is to be effective for opening the press. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the toggles might be moved to fully ystraightened position in which case the spring i9 would be arranged to pull one or both of the toggles toward the broken position which would be the fu equivalent of the arrangement shown.

Y'Ihe function of the shuttle valves in casings 39 fand 46 isto insure the returnrof the press to fully opened position should the operator actuate The action of camV This establishesY manual 43 or 44 and then release one or the other of said manuals without completing'thev right and piston 24 starts on a power stroke or rather cylinder 23 moves relative to piston Y24. If the manual 43 is then released pressure is relieved against the rear face of valveV 39a`vand spring 39h will move the valve to the full Vlineposition shown "15' in Fig. 1 and cylinder 23 will be opened to exhaust through passageway 30, casing 39, conduits 52 and 5I, port 35, cylinder 23 and port 33 to the atmosphere or alternatively from conduits 52 and 5I to casing 49 and outlet valve liSb to the atmosphere. Analogous circuits are possible for the other motor and will not be described.

' .With the arrangement shown it will be obvious that maintaining pressure for piston 24 in its position corresponding to a completely closed press will also be provided through conduit 52, casing 39 and passageway 30. A similar maintaining effect at motor 2l is also established.

I have thus provided operating and control mechanism for a pressing machine which requires that both hands of the operator remain upon spaced safety manuals until the press is fully closed. If either of the manuals is released before such a condition is reached the press will open to the extent that it may be controlled by the released manual and in any case if one manual is operated and the other is released the press will not close to a dangerous position and air will be continuously exhausted until the press is properly operated. The circuits described for maintaining the pressure in the two motor cylinders can only become effective after both motors have been actuated to move the press parts to a safe closed position. Thereafter the press will remain fully closed until the release manual is actuated.

What I claim is:

l. In a. pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, two cylinder and piston motors and motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for relatively moving said members to completely close the press, the stroke of either of said motors alone being insui cient to completely close the press, means for supplying motive uid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require two hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply of motive uid for the other of said motors independent of its manually controlled supply.

2. In a pressing machine, a frame, a stationary pressing member thereon, a coacting pressing member movable toward and from said stationary member, two axially aligned iiuid motors each having cylinder and piston elements, one element of each motor being connected with the frame and the movable pressing member respectively, the other elements of said motors being rigidly connected together, the working strokes of both motors being necessary to completely close the press, means for supplying motive iluid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require t-wo hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply of motive Yfluid for the other of said motors independent of .its manually controlled supply.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, two cylinder and piston motors and motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for relatively ,moving said .members to completely close the press, the 'stroke of either of said motors alone being insufficient to completely close the press, fmeans for .supplying motive fluid to each of said motors including a normally closed inlet valve and .a 4normally open outlet valve and a manual for actuating said valves to open the inlet and close the outlet valve, said manuals being spaced to require two hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply of motive fluid for the other of said motors independent of its manually controlled supply.

4. In a pressing machine, a frame, a stationary pressing member thereon, a coacting pressing member movable toward and from said stationary member, two axially aligned uid motorsA each havingcylinder and piston elements, one element of each motor being connected with the frame and the movable pressing member respectively, the other elements of said motors being rigidly connected together, the working strokes of both motors being necessary to completely close Vthe press, means for supplying motive uid to each of said motors including a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve and a manual for actuating said valves .to open the inlet and close the outlet valve, said manuals being spaced to require two hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply of motive uid for the other of said motors independent of its manually controlled supply.

5. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, two cylinder and piston motors and motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for relatively moving said members to completely close the press, the stroke of either of said motors alone being insuiiicient to completely close the press, a port in the wall of each cylinder adapted to be uncovered by the associated piston near the end of its power stroke, means for supplying motive uid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require two hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing communication between a motive fluid supply and the port in thecylinder wall of the other motor.

6. In a pressing machine, a frame, a stationary pressing member thereon, a coacting pressing member movable toward and from said stationary member, two axially aligned fluid motors each having cylinder and piston elements, one element of each motor being connected with the frame and the movable pressing member respectively, the other elements of said motors being rigidily connected together, the working strokes of both motors being necessary to completely close the press, a port in the wall of each cylinder adapted to be uncovered by the associated piston near the end of its power stroke, means for supplying motive fluid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require two hand operation, and means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing communication between a motive fluid supply and the port in the cylinder wall of the other motor.

7. A pressing machine as in claim 5 and including an open exhaust port in each cylinder wall at the same end of the cylinder as the aforesaid port.

`8. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, two cylin- `der :and piston motors and motion transmitting 15 mechanism connected therewith for' relatively moving said members to completely close the press, the stroke of either of said motors alone being insuflicient to completely close the press, a port in ther wall of each cylinder adapted to be uncovered by the associated piston nearV the end of its power stroke, means for supplying motive fluid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require twohand operation, a valve casing associated with each motor and housing a normally closed inlet valve anda normally open outletv valve, a Vconduit establishing communication between said port in each moto-rcylinder wall andthe inlet and outlet valves in the casing associated with the other motor, a'supply of motive'fluid for each valve casing, andmeans actuated by a movable part of each vmotor near the end of its power stroke for actuating the valves in its associated casing to open the inlet and to close the outlet valve.

9. In a pressing machine, aframe, a stationary Ypressing member thereon, a coacting pressing member movable toward and from said stationary member, two axially aligned iluid motors each having cylinder and piston elements, one element of each motor being connected with the frame andthe movable pressing member respectively, the other elements of said motors being rigidly connected together, the working strokes of both motors being necessary to completely close the press, a port in the wall of each cylinder adapted to be uncovered by the associated pistonnear the end of its power stroke, means for supplying motive uid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require two hand operation, a valve casing vassociated with each motor and housing a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve, a conduit establishing communication between said port in each motor cylinder wall and the inlet and outlet valves-in the casing associated with the other motor, a supply of motive fluid for each valve casing, and means actuated by a movable Ypart of each motor near the end of its power stroke for actuating the valves in its associated casing to open. the inlet and to close the outlet valve.

10. A pressing machine as in claim 8 and including a. valve casing for each motor communicating with the working face of its piston, and a shuttle valve in the said casing adapted alternatively to establish communication with the manually controlled fluid supply for said motor or with the conduit communicating with the port in said motor cylinder wall.

` 11. A pressing machine as in claim 8 and including a valve casing for each motor communicating withthe working face of its piston, a shuttle valve inY the said casing adapted alternatively to establish communication with the manually controlled fluid supply for said motor or with the Vconduit communicating Ywith 'the port in said motor cylinder wall, and means biasing said shuttle valve to establish communication with the said conduit.

12. In a pressing machine, a frame, a stationary pressing member thereon, a coacting pressing member movable toward and from said stationary member, two axially aligned fluid motors each havingcylinder and piston elements, one element of each motor being connected with the frame and the movable pressing member respectively, the other elements of said motors being rigidly connected together, the working strokes of both motors being necessary to completely close the press, -a'port in the wall of eachfcylnd'er adapted to be uncovered by the associated piston near theV end of its power stroke, means for supplying motive fluid to said motors including two manuals, one for each motor and spaced to require two hand operation, a valve'casing rigidly'mounted' on each cylindeneach casing housing a normally closed inlet valve and a normally vopen outlet valve, a conduit establishing communication between said port in each motor cylinder wall and the inlet and outlet valves in the casing'associated Vwith the other motor, a supply of'motive fluid for each Valve caslng,'the inlet'and outlet valves in each casing having a commonv actuator, and-'a cam on each piston rod adapted to operate .the actuatorfor its associated valves near the end of the power stroke of each motor.V i

13. A press as in claim 1 and including a third manual, a normally closed outlet valve operated thereby, aconduit connecting said valve'with the cylinderof one of said motors for exhausting the same, and means for opening the press. f

14. A pressing machineA asin claim'8, and in-.w cluding a valve casing-for each motor communicating with the .working face of its piston' a shuttle valveY in Ythe said casing ladapted alternatively` to Yestablish communication with the manually controlled fluid supply for said'motor or communication with an exhaust port, Vand Vtwo control members, one for each motor, and

means actuated by each of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply-of motive fluid for the other of said motors independent of its control member.

16. In a'pressing machine, a pair of coactingV relatively movable pressing members, two cylinder and piston motors and motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for relatively moving said'members to completely close the press, the strokeof eitherl of said motorsalone being insufficient to completely close vthe press, means for supplying motive fluid to said motors including two control members, one for each motor, and means actuated by one of said motors upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for establishing a supply of motive fluid for the other of said motors independent of its control member.y y V `17. In a Vpressing machine, a pairof coacting relatively movable pressing members, two cylinder and piston motors and motion transmitting mechanism connected therewith for YrelativelyY moving said members to completely close the press, the stroke of either of said motors alone being insufi'cient to vcompletely close the press, means for supplying motive iluid to said motors including two operator operated control members,V

one for eachmotor, and means actuated by each of said motors upon operation of said controlV members and upon predetermined relative travel between its piston and cylinder for Vestablishing supply of motive fluid fo-r the other ofsaid motors independent of its control member. Y

y Y JOSEPH P. DALY. 

